Documentary exposes harrowing murder case: Hourglass praises Essex Police partnership in highlighting abuse of older people

The tragic deaths of Carol and Stephen Baxter in April 2023 are the subject of a powerful new ITV documentary that casts a stark light on the horrifying abuse some older people face behind closed doors. This is a subject that Hourglass, the UK’s only charity working exclusively to end the abuse of older people, knows well.

The two-part true-crime series, The Essex Millionaire Murders, airs on ITV1 at 9pm on Monday 28th April and Tuesday 29th April. The documentary details one of the most complex and disturbing investigations ever undertaken by Essex Police, and features interviews with officers who worked around the clock to bring justice to Carol and Stephen’s family.

The couple were poisoned with fentanyl by their close family friend, Luke D’Wit, in a calculated and cold-hearted act of manipulation and deceit. Over a prolonged period, D’Wit posed as a doctor, invented fake identities, and psychologically controlled the Baxters, ultimately leading to their deaths.

Hourglass, the UK’s only charity focused solely on ending the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older people, has worked alongside Essex Police to raise awareness of this tragic case and the wider issue of abuse that continues to affect thousands of older people every year.

Detective Inspector Lydia George, who ran the Essex Police investigation, said:

“Luke D’Wit is, and was, a manipulative liar and he clearly exploited his relationship with Carol and Stephen Baxter. He made sure to become an important part in Carol’s business and then became a day-to-day presence in her life. Such was his manipulation, he became trusted by the Baxter family and ultimately be betrayed that trust.”

Essex Police believe that Carol and Steven were tragically unaware of the extent of the abuse by someone they trusted. The manipulation and deceit they faced led to their deaths.

Sadly, this type of abuse is not uncommon. Essex Police want to use this opportunity to raise awareness about what this abuse looks like and to highlight that Hourglass is a place to seek help.

Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass, said: "The deaths of Carol and Stephen Baxter are both heart-breaking and horrifying. This was a calculated, insidious abuse of trust – the sort of abuse that Hourglass sees far too often. Cases like this remind us that abuse isn’t always visible – it can be psychological, coercive, and prolonged.

“We are proud to have partnered with Essex Police to bring this issue into the public eye and to shine a light on the abuse of older people. Their professionalism and dedication throughout this investigation has been pivotal. This documentary will rightly disturb viewers, but it also serves as a vital warning: abuse of older people is happening – and we must all be alert to the signs."

Hourglass is urging the public to watch the documentary and to use it as a prompt to reflect on how abuse can manifest in subtle, manipulative ways, particularly when the abuser is someone close to the victim.

The charity’s helpline is available 24/7 for anyone concerned about an older person: 0808 808 8141. To learn more about Hourglass and how you can support safer ageing, visit: www.wearehourglass.org

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